Register-resetting mechanism.



F. H BIQKFORD. REGISTER RESETTING MECHANISM.

uuwnms FILED 001. 21, 191:.

1,066,700. Patented July 8, 1913.

3 SHEET8SHEET 1.

0 WITNESSES." INVENTOR A v "Mi W a ATRNEY F. H. BICKPORD.

REGISTER hESETTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.2L1911. I

Patented July 8, 1913.

3 8HEETSSHEET 2.

wrmmsss;

F. H.- BICKPORD.

REGISTER anssrrme mourns! APPLIOATIOH TILED 0017.21, 1911.

Patented July 8, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 34 k M/VEii/TOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK H. BICKFORD, F MUNCIE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE ADDER MACHINECOMPANY, OF WILKES-BARRY PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

REGISTER-RESETTING MECHANISM.

1 ,ocoxon.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 21, 1911.

Patented July 8,1913.

Serial No. 656,065.

To all 'z/ lzo'nz/ it may concern llc it known that l. Fiusk ll.Ilickronn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Muneie, Delawarecounty, lndiana, have invented new and useful Improvements inRegistcr-Resetting l\Iechanis1ns, of which the following is aspecific-ationv This invention relates to im 'n'ovements inresettingmechanisms for registers whereby to'arrest the counters intheir zero positions when the machine is cleared, in readiness for thenext example.

The invention is an improvement on the well-known \Vales resetting mehanism illustrated, for instance, in United States Letters Patent#842,232 grantcd to (J. N. l\1cl arland, January 29, 1907. In saidpatent, the depression of a total key rocl's a setting lever to operatea link which swings a series ot projecti ns on a carrier into the pathsof stops secured to turn with the individually rotatable numeral wheelsor counters of a register. The main drive shaft is then turned in onedirection to first lock the setting lever in position so that theprojections or abutments are held in place, after which it ett'ects theengagement of the counters and their driving mechanism, whereby thecounters are turned until the stops thereon strike the ii'iterposedprojections or abutments, at which time the counters display zeros atthe sight or reading line. After the main drive shaft completes itsinitial stroke. it is returned to its position of rest to disengage thecounters and driving means and restore the latter to normal position. Atthe beginning of its return stroke, the shaft releases the setting leverwhich is re stored to normal position, thereby permitting or effectingthe return of the abutments to idle position.

()ne object of the present inv'cntion is to maintain the ahutments ineffective position until the counters have been restored to initialposition to prevent accidental turning of said counters in onedirection, from the time when thev have-been reset to Zero, until theyare disengaged from their driving means and locked by the detents. whichnormally hold them against accidental rotaticn when at rest.

In the acccn'ipanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of oneei'i'ihodimcnt of the in-- ventiun applied to the wellknown alescalculating machine, the parts being It rest or in normal position. Fig.2 is a similar \'lt\\' of the machine from the side opposite that shownin Fig. 1, parts being omitted. Fig. 3 is a detail, showing a counterarrested in its zero position, and its abutment about to be unlocked onthe return stroke of the main drive shaft. Fig. 4 is a side view,showing the abutment in locked position at the beginning of the returnstroke of the main shaft.

It will be understood that the invention is not restricted in itsapplication to the \Vales calculating machine, although for convenience, it is illustrated in connection therewith. 1

An axle I mounted in arms 2 (Fi l) pivoted at 3 to opposite sides of theframe 4, carries independently rotatable counters thereon.

Props 6 on opposite sides of the frame, rest on a trip rod 7 and arejointedat 8 to the arms 2, to support the counters in normal idleposition at which time the counters are held against accidental turningby detents 9 (Fig. 9). The trip rod is suspended by arms 10 (Fig. 1)loosely mounted on a shaft 11 journaled in the frame, and the main driveshaft 12 is connected by links 13 with said rod to rock it back andforth. A handle 14 may be used to turn the main drive shaft.

Assuming the result of one or more operations to have been registered onthe counters in the well-known manner, and that it is desired to clearthe machine, that is, to return the counters to zero, a set-lever 15(Fig. 2) is rocked, by depressing a key It), forinstancc. An arm 15 ofsaid lever 15 operates a link 17 with which it may he loosely connected.as at 18, to press the latter against a shiftable carrier 19 mounted inthe frame i and having checks or abutments 20. The link 17 preferablyhas a shoulder 21 which impinges a stud 22 on a bracket 23, fixed on thecarrier, the latter being pivoted at 24 to swing toward the counterswhen struck by the shoulder, to interpose the abutments in the paths ofstops 25 fast with the counters (Figs. 2 and 3). A hook 26 (Fig. 2)locks the lever 15 in the position to which it has been rocked, bycatching over a stud 27 on the lever.

The lever 15 is fixed to the shaft 11 extending across the frame 4, torock the shaft 11 and with it a second lever 1.3, (Fig. I),

similar to lever 15, fast on the shaft 11 on that side of the machineopposite lever 15. The arms 15 and 15 of set-levers 15, 15 haveconnecting bars 28 fastened thereto and to legs or supports 29 journaledpreferably on the axles l and depending in line with seats 30 on theframe. In the adding operation of tlltl'tt'tzltfltillc, these legs orsupports rest on the seats when the trip rod is ini tially operated todefer the engagement of pintons 31. (fast on the respective counters 5),with the driving means or racks 32, until said racks have been protectedby their driving springs 33, and ttt'l'c t0(l by keyoperatcd stops (notshown). The counters are then rotated in one direction, as the racks arereturned to initial position to register the amount set up on thekeyboard. This mechanism is well-known and shown in prior patents, towhich reference has been made. In clearing the tnachinc, lltHYtVLl', itis desired to reverse the direction of rotation of the counters, tobring them back to zero position. Hence, the levers 13, to. whenoperated, draw the legs or HIPPUI'tS .29 out of line with their seatsthrough the connecting bars 28, to enable the counters to engage theirdriving means, prior to the operation of the latter. 3y displacing thelegs 25), the counters are supported out. of cngagement with their racks32 by the props t5 and rod T. The main shaft 1), on its initial stroke.in the direction of the arrows, (l igs. l and '1), pull the links 123'torwardly to swing the trip rod 7 in a descending arc to engage thecounters with their driving means, prior to the advance of the latter.

A rock shaft '34 journaled in the frame 1 carries rackre training andrestoring de vi es (not shown) to normally hold the rack. in theirpositions of rest. The tnain shalt 12. on its initial stroke vings anarm 7.? fast therewith. said arm having; a roll 36 playing in a cam sl t31' formed ill a crank .h lixcd to thc lt't'h' shat't. lhtring the lirstpart of th initial stroke. while the ((Hlliitl'r are being" engaged withtheir driving means wltcn clearing the wheel. the arm ridessubstantially idly in the cam slot. whereby to givethe counters time toengage their driw ing means prior to the release of the latter. 'hentlte roll 36 reaches the catn 31) of said slot, however, it quicklyswings the crank 38 to rock the shaft ll and withdraw theracka-estraining devices. whereby the racks 32 are free to be projectedby their springs The racks. as they are pr pelled. turn 1)). the counter:3 in a reverse dire tion to that in whi h th t'ttllttltt's' arc turnedwhen addin; or accumulating. until the stop 33 *tt'iht? the checks orabutntcnts it? to arrest the countcr at which time the latter di playZtl't7\ at the rcadin;- line. it rea n of the contact of th stops andallotment the drip f of the counters was liable to occur.

itti m ans are alao at't'c.-t "i afraiat thriller forward movement,rebounding of the counters being overcome by the tendency of the drivingmeans to pr01ect itself farther in its original path.

The. set-levers 15, 15*, which' have been held in position during theinitial stroke of the main drive shaft 12, are freed to the action ofsprings 40 at the completion of said initial stroke, which pringsrestore the levers 13, 1.5" to normal position, and rock the arms 15 15"rearwardly. Arm 1.3 returns the link 17 to initial position and therebyreleases stud 22 on the carrier 1!) to free the carrier to the action ofa restoring spring 41, (Figs. 2 and t), which tends to retract theabutmcnts 20 from the paths of the stops E25.

'lbrust bars 42, (Fig. 1) pivoted at 43 to resetting levers it fulcrumcdat 45 to the o]' posite sidcs of frame 1, drop behind studs -16 on thearms 1.7", 1.3 of the levers 15, 15 -when the arms are rocked forwardlyupon the depression of key 16. The arms 15, 15 on their return, pressthe thrust bars rearwardly to rock the resetting levers 44, the arms 17of which contact studs 48 on the respective legs or supports 29 to raisethe latter and thereby disengage the counters l'ront their drivingmeans, at the outset of the return stroke of tltc main drive shaft 12and prior to the restoration of the drive means toward initial position.(ants -19 on segments if) turning with the main shaft 12 n'tay assistthe resetting levers to restore the counters, by pressing againstlingers 51 on the set-levers 15, 15

As the main shaft (-otttittttcs on its return stroke, it operatesthrough arm 235. the crank 38 and rock shatt iii, to tt:-t 1( thedriving means and the trip mechanism to normal position.

The foregoing construction is, old and only constitutes a part of thepres-cut invention, in so far as it is combined with new parts now to beset forth.

It will he observed that the clearing mechanism rcleases'the carrier 19shortly after the main drive shaft 12 starts upon its return stroke.This ordinarily, would leave the counters or wheels 5 free to turnduring the interval between the disengagement of the driving racks 32therefrom, and the engagement of the locking detehts t1 therewith.Furthermore, the abutments 20 were formerly permitted to start. on theirreturn to idle position, in a downward are at about the same titnc thatthe counters were being disengaged from their drivin racks, whichlatter, owing to the pressure of their driving springs. caused thecounters to turn very slightly on their axle and follow the abutmeats,until the counters were fully released from the racks. whereupon aslight rebound Owing; to this slight turning of the counters, it wasaetive position and retains it against the 1 spring tension.

register when it should be clear. To avoid this disadvantage, I contriveto lock the ahutments in effective. positioniunt-il the counters havebeen locked by the detents 9, to prevent the rotation of the counters,above mentioned. To this'end 'I arrange to hold .lhe abutmcnts effectiveagainst-the tendency "of the restoring spring 41, by av latch 5L whichcatches the carrier 19' when it is in Said latch is mounted on the reararm of a lever 53, preferably journaled intermediate its ends on theaxle l.

r Said latch is controlled by means, as a shift crank, having a roll 57edge of the lever 53.

ing part of the machine, and preferably a finger or tappct 56 whichcooperates with a cam 54 on the forward arm of said lever, said cammerging into a dwell portion 55, normally contacted sa'id shiftablefinger or tappet 5G, to hold the latch idle. ,Said finger is preferablyoperated through the driven crank- 38. In the present instance, saidfinger or tappet comprises a prong on the I to contact thecam In theoperation 55 clearing the machine, the leverl5 having been rocked toshift the abut-ments 20 into the paths of the steps 25,

' thecra'nk 38 when swung forwardly during the initial stroke, ofthe=main drive shaft 12,

' withdraws the roll 57 from the'cam 54, 55

to free the lever to the action'of a spring 58 which thereupon rocks thelever '53 to cause the latch 52 to catch or take behind the carri)er 19and lock it in effective position (Fig. 4 leases its control of thecarrier at the outset of the return stroke of the maindrive shaft, butthe latch 52 IQII'lillHSCffQCth-Q to prevent the return of the carrierlf) and its abutments 20 to idle position, until the counters have beendisengaged from their driving means and restored .to normal position,where they arc-. ,hcld against accidental, turning by the'detcgits 9.The drive shaft 12 on on the axle 1123.

its return, rocks the arm 3:7'to swing the crank 38 (Figs; 4 and 3)audcause the tap pet or finger. 5G to contact'the lever 53 and releasethe latch 52 from the carricnlfl, whereupon the spring 41 \vitl'idrawsthe abutments 20"from the paths of-stops 55. The restoration of thecounters by the thrust bars 42- and resetting lovers 4?. at the outsetofsaid return stroke, however, has-shifted the latch lever 52 away fromthe tappct :76, so that the l-"iicr IlfltSTlflt strike the can: 54 onlever i 1 will the main drive shaft has complete-(la "ill ll\'l(il'2l !ls1 rokc', rides tlicrcalg' u logs. the latch lever ugagc the. latch 52from the carrier. \vhor upon the spring 41 restores The lever 15,it'will be remembered, re-

againstcams 61 on the'thrust liars .4

15', whereupon the legs or support ters. This operates to slightly el poscd in tin-path of lheslop;

the carrier and its abutme'nts to idle The finger normally remains incontact with the dwell portion 55 of said camto latch idle against the'tension of t- 58. The disengagement of the coun their drive means raisesthe heated o legs or supports 29 to clear the se whereupon springs 59(Fig, Dj'mayj the legs over said seats The It'rip swings in an ascendingarc during tl stroke of the mainshaft, and rocks: 6 to return the latterto m a'rp Theprops, on their return, press ti lease the bars from thestuds 46 Qfle fisali so $12 51ml on to their seats 30 to sustain the onnters until the rod 7 is completely r urned, .;at which time, it raisesthe propsslightly and relieves the legs of the. weight of vth i ethelegsor supports from. their seats 30 s: that the latter oppose noobstruct-ion to the placement of. the legs when the keyilG pressed. I

It is evident that changes might be made in the form, arrangementandoperation of the several parts set forthwithoutd from the spirit andscope of this \Vhat I. claim asnew. Q L In aregister, the combinacounter, drive means for the-counte rmally disconnectedtherefrom;.andtmean to effect the connection and disconnection; of thecounterand its drive means; of resetting mechanism, comprisina. step onthe counter; an abutment shifta .le into the. path of the stop, toarrestthe latter wlreynit isreturncd. to zero position; and, mean, topermit the restoration of the-abnl'n'ientlto idle position only afterthe (IlSCOHIIPQi I IOILPI' the counter and its driving means. I -2. In aregister, the combination. with? a driving rack a rotatablecounternormally raised out of engagement therewith and means to drop thecounterinto meshrand, raise it out of mesh with the rack; of n.zero-resetting mechanism, conqarisingna stop on the counter; and anabutment shittable into the path of the stop prior to the rotation ofthe counter, and restored to. idle position subsequently to the; returnoft-he counter-to raised position. In a register, the combination with acounter; drive means for the counter, nor- 120 mally disconnectedtherefrom;,and means to effect the cmmection and d"'ronucction of thecounter and its drivefans; of .2

on (he count-r1: a shit'tahle aliutiuqil H I- and a catch to hold theahutuwnt. in mtlicq i\ c is ion until al'lcr tl1 cdisconnectionof,,thc,counter;

and its drivingmcnus. 4

4. In a calculator,. the combination with &

registering mechanism, including counters, and means to effect theoperation thereof; of a zero-resetting mechanism comprising stops on thecounters; shiftable abutments interposable in the paths of the stops;and means controlled by the counter-operating mechanism to lock theabntments in effective position.

5. In a calculating machine, the combinir tion with a registeringmechanism, incliniing a counter, and drive means therefor; ofzero-resetting mechanism, including a normally idle abutment; a stop onthe counter, means to shift the abutment into the path of the stop; andother means to maintain the abutment in active position after theshifting means has returned to normal position.

6. In a calculating machine, the combination with a registeringmechanism, including a counter, and drive means theret'or; ot'zero-resetting mechanism, including :1 normally idle abutment; a stop onthe counter, means to'shitt the abutment into the path of the stop; alatch indeperidi'mt of the shitting means; and a. rocking membercontrolling the latch, to permit it to lock the abutment in etl'ectireposition. V

7. In a calculating machine, the combination with a registeringmechanism, including counters, and drive means therefor; of azero-resetting, mechanism comprising stops on the counters, abutmentsshiftableinto the paths of the stops; a spring-pressed latch normallytending to lock the abutments in effective position, and having a. cam;and a locking member normally contacting the cam to hold the latchinoperative.

8. In a calculating machine, the combination with a registeringmechanism, including counters, and drive means therefor; ot' azeroaesctting mechanism conn rising tops on the counters. abntmcntsshittablc into the paths of the stops; a lever having a latch formedthereon to loclt lho'abn'tmcnts in effective position and a rockingmcmhcr normalty contacting a cam on said lover to hold the latch out ofoperation.

9. in a calculating machine. the combination with counters. drive meansthcrct'or.

andancchanlsm to cil'cct the connection and drive means; of a settingmechanism, to

stops; a releasable lock to maintain theahutments 1n etl'ectlve positionsubsequently to their release by said set-ting mechanism; and meansother than .the setting mecha nism and operable after said setting mochanism is restored to normal position, to release the lock to enable theabutments to be shifted to idle position.

11. In a calculating machine, the combination with counters, drivingmeans therefor, and mechanism to shift the counters to connect them withand disconnect them from their driving mechanism; of zero-resettingmechanism, including stops turning with the counters; abntmentsshiftable into and out of the paths of the stops to arrest the wheels inZero position; a latch to lock the abutments in effective position, andshiftable with the counters when the latter are connected to anddisconnected from their driving means; and means to release the latch,and relatively to which the latch is shifted by the counter-shiftingmechanism.

12. In a calculating machine, the combi nation with counters, and drivemechanism therefor; of a zero-resetting mechanism comprising stops onthe counters; abutments shit'table into the paths of the stops; means toshift the abutments to effective position; a latch independentof saidmeans/t0 lock the abutments in ctt'ectire positioinalid hold them afterthe return of said means to normal position: and means to release thelatch.

i l. in a calculating machine, the eombination with a drive shaft,imlividually ro talable counters, and drive means therefor; ot' aresetting mechanism for the counters, including stops on the counters:and abutmcuts interposed in the paths of said stops; and a latchcontrolled by thedrive shaft to hold the ahntments etl'ectirc until thesaid shaft has nearly completed its return stroke.

il. in a calculating machine, the combination with driving means. andcounters adapted for engagement and disengagement; relatively to eachother; and detents to hold the counters against rotation, when disengagcd from the driving means; of clearing mechanism. including a1nannally-operable member: stops on the counters: ahntments shittcd bythe mannally-operahle member into the paths of the stops, to arrest thecounters in Zero position: said manuallyop rablc member adapted forrestoration prior tothc clhadire cooperation of the. locking dctcnts andcounters, thereby releasing the allotments: and means to lock theabutments in effective position until the counhrs are locked by tlmir(lU QH H. nulwillzfl HllIlHnlS liiflnlvlv intu lliv pn lis of Hmstanding their i'clvnso by will nmnuzilly-op 1 ships, and mum l linh'lmid pilvnlnn-niH in emlilc member. vile-dive position.

15. In a calculating nim-liinc, llw mmlvi FRANK ll" HH'K F0111). nationwith COlllllQlS and (lIlYO lilllflltilllfilll ln lln -,il1 ml" thorcfur;of a resetting mechanism for said llmnnn \f. Swux, qrconnters, includingstops on lllt L'Ollliltl'xg; lhxnzi. (f. Swarm."

